51 Norman Parade, Clayfield

The residence subsequently had a number of notable occupants. This included John Leahy M.L.A, who rented the residence in c1901. Leahy was the director of Queensland Meat Export Agency Co and Manager of the Australian Estates and Mortgage Company. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and President of the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce in 1907. Leahy was the sitting member of Bulloo during 1893-1909, Secretary for Railways & Public Works, 1901-03 and Speaker of the House 1907-09. He resided at Kilcreggan until 1907. Daniel Gallgher then occupied the house.

In c1908 James McEneroe, medical practitioner, obtained the property. In c1912 the property again changed hands when Frank McDonnell acquired it. McDonnell was a founder of the notable Brisbane retail store McDonnell and East. McDonnell was M.L.A for Fortitude Valley (1896-1907) before entering the Legislative Council. McDonnell and his wife lived at the property until his death in c1929. Mary McDonnell remained in the house until 1936 when it was sold to William and Hester Young.

As is the case today, the suburbs of Ascot, Hamilton, and Clayfield were sought after residential addresses within nineteenth century Brisbane. During the latter decades of the nineteenth century, the Clayfield area became home to several wealthy families who established fine residences on large estates, for example Whytecliffe, built for John Petrie in 1875, Bayview built for the Huttons, and Tarranalma, constructed in 1890 for James Milne. “The Residence” is an existing representative example of the nineteenth and twentieth century desirability of those members within the higher social stratum of Brisbane to reside in a suitable residence and location that reflected their position in society. The home is now restored and functions as a retirement home. Now called “The Residence.” 

The structure is of timber (chamfer boards) with a tin roof. The verandah roof is separate to the main roof structure. The separate verandah and main aspect roofline is highlighted by the use of decorative eaves brackets. The semi-octagonal protruding verandah is highlighted at ground level by a pyramid shaped extension of the main roof over this portion of the residence. This feature, together with a shaped verandah encompasses the living room protrusion onto the verandah.

The offset main entry stairs facilitates an aesthetic presentation, which visually compensates for the asymmetrical appearance of the residence from the street. The original verandah was “L’ shaped with a step-out on the eastern side. The rear of the residence has had later extensions.

1. Brisbane City Council Detail Plan. No: 462. 5 March 1936

2. Queensland Certificates of Title

3. Garlock, Grace. “Mansion’s New Role as Village”, Sunday Mail Magazine. 19 February 1989. pp.30 & 31

4. “Gracious Surrounds at “The Residence”, Sunday Mail Magazine. 15 October 1989. p.42

5. Howes, Ted. “Doves of Peace in Home for Aged”, Sunday Sun: Sun Magazine. 4 September 1988. p.58

6. “Residence Splendor Restored.” Courier Mail. 2 November 1989.p.30

7. Springthorpe, Margot. “Retirement gets its own special style”, Sunday Sun: Sun Magazine. 17 June 1990. p.43